NCJ Number
98670
Date Published
1982
Length
195 pages
Annotation
Field observations and discussions and reviews of official records formed the basis of a study designed to examine the nature, causes, and potential solutions to the high rate of juvenile crime in an isolated Aboriginal settlement (Yalata) on the far west coast of South Australia.
Abstract
Funded in 1978, the study used a multidisciplinary approach and directly involved the community members in the progress and activities of the research. Data were collected on 57 Yalata adolescents who were between 11 and 17 years old as of June 30, 1980. Data were collected into two files for each subject -- a personal data file and an offense data file. Statistical processing revealed that during 1977-78, 40 percent of male adolescents between ages 10 and 17 and 77 percent between the ages of 14 and 18 had appeared in court on various charges. No psychosocial variables were found that differentiated offenders from nonoffenders. Gender was the only apparent strong predictor variable, with males virtually certain to make several court appearances following the onset of adolescence. Although the community agreed that adolescent criminal offending was a problem, they did not appear unduly upset or concerned following offenses. They also did not support their adolescents by accompanying them to court and did not seem to try to control their behavior. The adults' covert support for the behavior or their tendency to avoid problems and associated conflicts could have explained their attitudes. Narrative descriptions and data tables on offenses and court procedures are included. Seventy-six references are listed.